After a relaxing break, we started the new year with a flurry – not of snow, in this odd, winterless winter – but of activities. Here are some of the moments St. Michael’s marked in January and February.
Fr. McConica Remembered — Fr. James McConica, CSB, who served as President of the University of St. Michael’s College from 1984 to 1990, was remembered at a memorial Mass held on February 15 in St. Basil’s Church. Mass was followed by a reception attended by colleagues, friends and members of his Basilian family. Mark Carney, the former Governor of the Bank of Canada, and David Lametti, the former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, each shared memories of how Fr. McConica served as a mentor to them when they were studying at Oxford.
RSM also had the first installment of our Critical Conversations in Catholic Education Series of events in the Halton School Board. Prof. Cynthia Cameron and several RSM speakers presented to more 30 teachers about how we can tackle youth anxiety over climate change.
St. Mike’s now an IFCU Member — St. Michael’s received admission into the International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU). This video was distributed to their members.
Alumni Honoured with Arbor Awards — St. Mike’s President David Sylvester was on hand as some key alumni members received the University of Toronto’s Arbor Award in recognition of outstanding volunteer service. Sr. Mary Anne McCarthy, CSJ, John Kostoff and Ed Unger were all honoured, with past recipients Wendy Brennan, Mimi Marrocco, Teresa-Anne Martin and Rita Shaughnessy also recognized.
Black History Month Poetry Night — Students from SMC and the wider U of T community participated in an open mic and poetry night on campus to celebrate Black History Month, a fantastic opportunity to hear the talent and the stories of students.
RSM Readies for Lent — The Regis St. Michael’s Faculty of Theology entered into the Solemn Season of Lent with Ash Wednesday Mass and a soup social at St. Basil’s. The celebration encompassed the wider RSM and downtown Toronto community.
Talking Mental Health and Wellbeing — On February 21, SMC faculty and staff across departments attended a lunch and learn featuring research on student perceptions of wellbeing conducted by Dr. Lauren Brown (Program Coordinator at the Multi-Faith Centre). Through a guided mental health check-in, free write exercise, and slow reading, staff explored how to create a campus community that promotes a relational and integrated approach to student wellbeing. An audio summary of Dr. Brown’s research and themes explored during the Lunch & Learn can be found here.
Continuing Education Ramping up for Re-launch –The reconstituted Continuing Education Council of Senate had its first meeting in February and the division has launched its Continuing Education interest survey to gauge interest from the larger community, as well as gain an understanding of preferred topics, delivery methods and timing for programs and courses. If you haven’t had a chance yet, we’d love your participation.
And congratulations to Disha Makhijani, who has recently been appointed Executive Assistant, Continuing Education. Disha also recently became a Canadian citizen. Brava!
Kelly has Something for Everyone — The Kelly Library has had several successes over the past couple of months. The letterpress Print Studio on the second floor has been revamped into a larger, more user-friendly teaching space and, as if on cue, the Print Club — for letterpress enthusiasts — met for the first time in January to work on a manifesto. The library also exhibited in-person and virtual book displays celebrating Black History Month in February, and at the end of last month the Friends of the Kelly Library arranged a St. Mike’s alumni author panel featuring Silvia Falsaperla (SMC 8T7), Darlene Madott (SMC 7T5), and Caroline Di Giovanni (SMC 7T0).
Skating Rink Open — The weather took until February to fully co-operate but our rink opened in early January, with students, staff and other community members taking to the ice, truly proving that St. Mike’s is a four-season Oasis in the City.
Be Mine! — Staff got together just before Valentine’s Day for a cookie decorating event, which saw a great turnout and lots of friendly competition at this social team-building break. Congratulations to the Facilities team, who came out on top.
SMC Troubadours Have Another Smash Hit — The SMC drama society, The Troubadours, successfully put on a sold-out run of four performances of Legally Blonde at the Hart House theatre in February.
Chinese Lunar Celebration — SMCSU welcomed the Wushu Project, a Toronto-based martial arts school, to campus to celebrate Chinese New Year with a Lion Dance! The Lion blessed the SMC community with wealth and prosperity in the new year by eating the lettuce and spitting it out on the event organizer, Vanessa Choi, SMCSU’s VP Arts.